Title: The Most High Authority

Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty? (Daniel 4:30)

These were the words of King Nebuchadnez'zar moments before the Most High gave him the mind of a beast. “He was driven from among men, and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws” (4:33). This was Nebuchadnez'zar's lesson. He was to learn “that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will" (4:32).

King Herod was an excellent speaker. One day he gave a speech to the people of Tyre and Sidon. The people were so impressed they said, “The voice of a god, and not of man!” The text says, “Immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give God the glory; and he was eaten by worms and died” (Acts 12:23).

The Scriptures assert God's authority. He has established authority here on Earth. He established authority in the family, the government and the church. The Most High is above all these authorities.

For this reason most believers are comfortable pledging their allegiance to a government as long as they can be clear that that pledge stipulates that there is a Most High authority who is higher than the state.

At this writing there is a pending appeal to the United States Supreme Court. If the court chooses to hear this case, the judges will decide the lawfulness of including the words “under God” in public recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Those words are currently a part of the national pledge because at one time the ruling authorities recognized the source of their authority. They recognized that it is a blessing from God and that any pledge to the state must be second to a pledge of allegiance to the Highest Authority.

That citizens would call to question this authority structure is chilling. We have seen in the above scriptural examples and we are taught in other places that God is displeased with families (Eph 6:4; 1 Tim 5:8), churches (Rev 2:4-5), governors and states (Ps 33:16-18) that do not recognize His authority.

If deference to God is removed from the national pledge the state will effectively be declaring itself as the highest authority. We have seen in recent history the behavior of states that see themselves as the highest authority; but this is not a political article. If our governors outlaw public deference to God in the Pledge of Allegiance we will each personally react according to our faith.

The purpose of this article is to draw attention to the Authority of God. He is the Highest Authority. He rules the world. He rules the nations. We profess him to rule the church, our families. Each of us is expected to confess Jesus as our Lord (Matt 10:32; Rom 10:9).

We must remember God's authority when we file our taxes and when we pray with our children. We must remember our highest pledge when we share the cup of blessing and the bread we break together this Sunday.